A Life Well Lived: Mrs. Dunning's Lesson Plan for Happiness

Life lessons from the classroom, the world, and the pages of great books.

From her classroom to the Coliseum, from garden luncheons to grand opera, Phyllis Dunning has spent a lifetime teaching—and living—the art of curiosity, compassion, and grace. With wit and warmth, she reflects on the lessons that shaped her: the power of books and beauty, the joy of travel, the value of friendship, and the quiet strength of gratitude.

Told in a voice both elegant and intimate, A Life Well Lived is part memoir, part master class; a love letter to learning, giving, and the pursuit of a life illuminated by art and heart in equal measure. Through her stories, Phyllis reminds us that happiness, like teaching, is best when shared, nurtured through kindness, laughter, and the lasting connections that make a life truly full.